Part III: The Temple of Enlightenment
The True Avatar and Lord British climbed the mountainside and saw a total of 320 stone steps leading up to the temple.
Seeing the size of each stone step and the height they had to climb to reach the temple, The True Avatar and Lord British were amazed.
I'm exhausted from everything that's happened. I don't know if I can climb all that. I don't know what we're doing here. We've let ourselves be led by a woman who doesn't even speak our language. I don't know if any of this makes sense. I'm sick of it all. -said Lord British angrily-
Following this path has only resulted in me losing valuable items, smelling bad odors, and being groped and humiliated by a monkey-like creature. -said Lord British, tired and angry-
You must remain calm. Everything that has happened is painful for me too, drifting without knowing what awaits us in a completely unknown place. -said The True Avatar-
But we can't give up now, after everything we've been through. We need answers. We need to find a way back to Sosaria. -said The True Avatar excitedly-
We must control our emotions, otherwise we will not be able to climb. Our minds must be above our bodily senses if we want to reach the summit. -said The True Avatar-
Lord British understood The True Avatar's words and nodded silently.
The True Avatar and Lord British began climbing the steps.
Little by little, they climbed until they reached step 108, where The True Avatar stopped.
What happened? Why did you stop? -asked Lord British-
I sense something from this step, like an energy that envelops the environment. -replied The True Avatar-
Lord British, with his physical senses, did not perceive anything and did not give importance to what The True Avatar was saying.
As they climbed the steps, Lord British began to feel increasingly exhausted, and the clothes he was wearing began to weigh him down. But the effect of the heavy clothes did not affect The True Avatar.
As they continued climbing, physical exhaustion became noticeable for both of them.
I feel weighed down by the clothes I'm wearing. I'm exhausted. -said Lord British-
It's the energy that surrounds the environment, like a spell for those who try to climb. -said The True Avatar-
Take off any clothes that are unnecessary. -said The True Avatar-
Lord British understood, took off his robe, left it on the stairs, and they continued climbing the steps.
At step 265, the wind began to pick up and the steps were becoming increasingly deteriorated.
Avatar, I'm exhausted, I feel like I'm going to faint and I'm having trouble breathing. -said Lord British-
Come, I will carry you. Climb onto my back. -said The True Avatar-
As he carried the weight of Lord British, thus sparing him the process of climbing to the top, The True Avatar began to subtly notice some additional effects of exhaustion that corresponded to Lord British.
The True Avatar, with Lord British behind him, continued to slowly climb the steps.
Not much further now. Focus on your breathing and ignore what your body is feeling. -said The True Avatar-
Lord British rested his head on The True Avatar's back and fell asleep from exhaustion.
On the 300th step, The True Avatar, exhausted, carefully laid Lord British down on the steps and, holding him with one hand so he wouldn't fall, sat down to try to regain his energy.
How is it possible that the transitory can have such an effect on what is real and objective? -said The True Avatar, meditating aloud-
The True Avatar stared at the horizon for a few moments.
Not much further now. -said The True Avatar aloud to himself-
The True Avatar stood up carefully, hoisted Lord British back onto his back, and continued climbing the steps.
The wind was strong at that height, and there was a risk of falling.
Finally, they reached the last step.
Wake up, we're here. -said The True Avatar-
What happened? I fell asleep. -asked Lord British-
The energy that enveloped the environment had an effect on our bodies, and you fell asleep from exhaustion. -replied The True Avatar-
The True Avatar and Lord British looked ahead and saw a temple that conveyed stillness, formed by four blocks of six columns each, making a total of twenty-four stone columns in a row, each meticulously carved to represent deities. Above the twenty-four columns was a stone ceiling that seemed to tell stories in subtle reliefs, as if the memory of the deities and rituals were engraved there.
Before entering the temple, there were four stone steps. On the right side was a small fountain with water, and on the left side was a small brazier with a flame that remained still despite the breeze.
Let's leave our shoes here before continuing. -said The True Avatar-
What if they take my boots? -asked Lord British, remembering what happened with the creature that took his crown-
If your boots are taken here, it would truly be a blessing for you. -replied The True Avatar-
Lord British did not understand the depth of the words that The True Avatar wanted to convey to him.
But why do we leave our shoes here? -asked Lord British, uneasy-
Physically, so as not to contaminate the temple with the dirt on our shoes; subtly, as a gesture of humility and respect. -replied The True Avatar-
The True Avatar and Lord British walked toward the entrance of the temple.
Come. -said The True Avatar-
The True Avatar took a spoon from the small fountain and put a little water in his hand to clean it, then cleaned the other. He then put a few drops of water on his hand and touched his brow and the top of his head with that water.
Next, The True Avatar used the spoon to pour a few drops of water on Lord British's hands and put some water on Lord British's brow and the top of his head.
Let's go to the brazier. -said The True Avatar-
Lord British silently followed him.
The True Avatar placed the palm of his hand over the flame of the brazier, and when he felt the heat, he brought his hand to his brow and the top of his head.
Do the same. -said The True Avatar-
Lord British repeated what The True Avatar had done.
Why are we doing all this? -asked Lord British-
Physically, they are drops of water that we have placed on our hands, between our eyebrows, and on our heads, as well as heat on both sides, but we have subtly purified our body, mind, and true self so that we can receive and perceive transcendental knowledge. -said The True Avatar-
Let's go up to the temple. -said The True Avatar-
The True Avatar and Lord British climbed the four stone steps and entered the temple.
The breeze blew between the stone columns.
It's amazing. -said The True Avatar, observing the columns-
At the back was a room, octagonal in shape, the first part of which was accessed through the columns.
The True Avatar and Lord British walked to the back and entered the room.
Inside the room, there were eight beings sitting on the floor in a meditative state with their eyes closed, with a white aura shining around their bodies, invisible to material eyes but visible to transcendental eyes.
The True Avatar bowed completely, touching the ground with his hands, forehead, knees, and feet as a symbol of humility and absolute respect.
When The True Avatar stood up, his eyes filled with tears as he saw the purity and transcendence of these beings.
Lord British broke the silence and said 'I am Lord British, King of Britannia.'
Here, fame, prestige, recognition—all of that is worthless in this place. -said The True Avatar quietly upon hearing Lord British-
One of the beings opened its eyes and said 'We know why you are here and what happened in Sosaria.'
Do you speak our language? -said Lord British in surprise-
We can speak all the languages that have existed, exist, and may come to exist in creation. -replied the being-
How can you know all that? -asked Lord British-
Living entities absorbed in the pleasures of the senses and the outside world have forgotten their relationship with the Supreme Energy. -replied the being-
But those who, through control of the senses, turn their attention away from the outside world and focus it inward, gradually remember their relationship with the Supreme Energy. -said the being-
The Supreme Energy is omniscient, omnipotent, and omnipresent, and those who, as described above, are in conscious connection with the Supreme Energy, have access to that omniscience. -said the being-
Where are we? -asked The True Avatar-
In Dromana, a planet that belongs to one of the eight universes that make up all of creation. -replied the being-
You said earlier that you knew what happened in Sosaria. Why did the Armageddon ritual fail and why didn't the Barrier of Life protection work? -said The True Avatar-
The Guardian manipulated the ritual to save his own existence. -replied the being-
Can you do anything to bring the creatures and inhabitants of Sosaria back to life? -asked The True Avatar-
Yes. -replied the being-
We beg you to restore life to Sosaria, to bring the inhabitants and all creatures back to life. -said The True Avatar-
The being closed its eyes, and the eight began to chant a mantra.
When they finished the mantra, the being opened its eyes and said 'Everyone has been brought back to life as they were before Armageddon, but the environment has been devastated by Armageddon.'
Thank you. -said The True Avatar with a bow-
Can you send us back to Sosaria? -asked The True Avatar-
Yes, stand in the center and we will teleport you. -replied the being-
Come on, Lord British, we must gather our companions (Dupre, Geoffrey, Iolo, Jaana, Julia, Katrina, Mariah, and Shamino) to restore order. -said The True Avatar-
As The True Avatar walked toward the center, Lord British remained still.
Come on, let's go back to Sosaria. -said The True Avatar-
No, I feel I must stay here. I have many questions and I need answers. This place has made me realize my impurities, my shortcomings, and I need to change all that in order to return. -said Lord British-
Only then, when I have achieved perfection, will I be ready to return as the king of Britannia. -said Lord British-
The True Avatar nodded, understanding Lord British's decision.
Avatar, I am sorry for committing so many offenses and acting this way. Thank you for everything you have done for me. -said Lord British-
The True Avatar smiled at Lord British as a gesture that all was well and that he understood.
I am ready. -said The True Avatar-
In a mystical way, an energy could be felt throughout the room, and small luminous particles began to swirl around the center where The True Avatar stood.
The True Avatar tilted his head upward and said, “It is time to restore order.”